Arrangement to counteract or prevent spreading of fire or smoke

ABSTRACT

An arrangement to counteract or prevent spreading of fire, smoke or undesired gases through at least one passage, such as a ventilating duct, in a building. Said arrangement comprises a device adapted to keep the passage open normally but to close the passage when there is a risk of said spreading to occur. Said passage comprises at least one portion running in a drain trap-like path and said device comprises at least one supply means to supply, when there is a risk of said spreading to occur, a fluid to said drain trap-like portion in order to completely or partly fill the same while providing said closure of the passage.

This application is a continuation of Ser. No. 35,824, filed May 4,1979, now U.S. Pat. No. 4,294,165.

This invention is related to an arrangement to counteract or preventspreading of fire, smoke or undesired gases through at least one passagein a building, said arrangement comprising a device adapted to keep thepassage open normally but to close the passage when there is a risk ofsaid spreading to occur.

Buildings are normally divided into so called fire-cells in order toprevent spreading of a fire. Said division is provided in thatpartitions between the fire-cells have a certain fire resistance.

Communicating passages between said fire-cells are, however, required.Illustrative examples of such passages are door openings and ventilationducts. Ventilation ducts are of particular concern since they must bekept open normally. In order to obtain fire proof separation when thebuilding is set on fire, mechanical fire dampers or bags inflatable bymeans of complicated equipment have been used. Apart from the fact thatsuch mechanical and complicated devices are expensive, they requirefrequent checking and testing to ascertain their operability. It is alsoknown to use material swelling under influence of heat to closedifferent passages. However, it is a disadvantage that an excessivetemperature must be reached before complete swelling occurs andaccordingly, toxic fumes, particularly from plastics material, may bepassed through in a fatal degree during considerable periods.

The object of this invention is to eliminate, as far as possible,mechanical functions and to provide a simple and efficient arrangementto counteract or prevent spreading of fire, smoke or undesired gases.This object is achieved in that said passage comprises at least oneportion running in a drain trap-like path and in that said devicecomprises at least one supply means to supply, when there is a risk ofsaid spreading to occur, a fluid to said drain trap-like portion inorder to completely or partly fill the same while providing said closureof the passage.

With reference to the appended drawings a more specific description ofembodiment examples of the invention will follow hereinafter.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a section through a ventilation duct member between two firecells;

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal section through a ventilation duct;

FIG. 3 is a schematic vertical section through a building;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the encircled detail in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a section along the line V--V in FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a schematic section through an alternative embodiment; and

FIG. 7 is a view from the left of the embodiment in FIG. 6.

In FIG. 1 two fire-cells are denoted A and B. The fire-cells areseparated by a fire wall 1. A roof in the building is denoted 22. Aventilation passage through wall 1 is constituted by a ventilation duct3 protruding through an aperture 2 in the wall. The ventilation duct 3has the character of a rather short portion communicating betweenfire-cells A and B to transmit ventilating air from A to B (see theupper arrows). The duct portion 3 is designed so that the flow path ofventilating air through the duct runs in a drain trap-like loop whichduring normal operation of the ventilation system is open for flow ofair. The duct portion 3 is, however, adapted to be filled with a fluid,particularly water, when there is a risk of spreading of fire or smokethrough the duct portion so that said duct portion will act similar to adrain trap. i.e. as a gas barrier. Duct portion 3 forms a so called overflow device.

The duct portion 3 has the character of a container, which may comprisetwo cross-sectionally angular parts 4, 5, each of which comprises acircular tubular portion 6 and a box shaped portion 7 connected thereto.Said portions 7 have an upper opening 8. The parts 4, 5 are introducedwith their circular tubular portions 6 into the circular aperture 2 fromopposite sides of the wall 1 while forming the U-shaped configurationillustrated in FIG. 1 with the branches, i.e. portions 7, of said Ufacing upwardly.

It is to be understood that the box shaped duct portions 7 normally havea greater width in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the drawingthan the circular portions 6. The tubular portion 6 of container part 5comprises an end 9 having a reduced diameter and said end is adapted tobe pushed into tubular portion 6 of container part 4. The container 3 isdivided into two regions 10, 11 by the walls 12 of the containerportions 7 and the upper part of the circular walls of the tubularportions 6. Thus, the walls 12 and the upper parts of the tubularportions 6 form together an element protruding down into the container 3formed by parts 4, 5. Between said elements and the bottom of thecontainer there is an opening. The container parts 4, 5 can be providedwith a sound dampening and heat insulating coating 13.

The orifice of a supply conduit extending into the container 3 isdenoted 14. Said conduit is connected to the water main of the building.At a suitable location up-stream orifice 14, there is provided a magnetvalve or the like (not illustrated) which is controlled by at least onesmoke and/or temperature responsive detector. A valve 15 is associatedto the orifice 14 and operated by means of a float 16. The preadjustmentof the float relative to valve 15 determines the fluid level in thecontainer 3. Different fluid levels in container 3 are indicated withdotted lines 17. The letter h designates the height of the water columnin container portions 7 above the upper part of the tubular portion 6and said height can be selected with regard to the desired staticalpressure resistance during a fire. A valve 18 may be provided in thebottom of the container 3 to enable drainage of the container after afire. It is also conceivable to drain the container 3 automaticallythrough the supply conduit comprising orifice 14.

The arrangement in FIG. 1 operates as follows: If a fire would occur inany of cells A or B, said smoke and/or temperature responsive detectorwill open the magnet valve described so that water will flow intocontainer 3 through orifice 14. The water will separate the fire cellsfrom each other in the same way as in a drain trap in that the fillingof container 3 will proceed at least until the water level reaches theupper parts of the tubular portions 6. This is controlled by float 16and valve 15. If the temperature rises excessively the water in thecontainer will boil and vaporize and water will be continuously refilledinto the container. The evaporation of the water will cool the containerand improve the fire resistance. The drain trap-like function ofcontainer 3 will accordingly form an efficient barrier to the spreadingof fire, smoke or undesired gases through opening 2 from one fire cellto the other.

In FIG. 2, there is illustrated a ventilating duct 40, a fire wall 1 anda roof 22. The ventilation duct 40 extends through a aperture 2 inwall 1. As in the previous embodiment, the ventilation duct 18 comprisesa portion 19 which is designed so that the flow of ventilation air runsin a drain trap-like path. The duct portion 19 is also in this casedesigned as a container having a partition 20 projecting down into ductportion 19 from the upper face of duct 40. A opening 23 is presentbetween the end of the partition and the bottom 21 of the container. Aspreviously, a float 16, a supply conduit orifice 14 and a valve 15 arepresent. When spreading of fire or smoke through duct 40 is to beprevented, the container or portion 19 is filled with water to e.g. thelevel indicated by 24. Since the portion 19 is not aligned with the wall1 an external fire insulation 25 is required. Said external insulationis not required in the embodiment according to FIG. 1.

In FIG. 3, there is illustrated a part of a building comprising floors61 and 41. Horizontal joists 42-44 are indicated as well as verticalwalls 45-50 (see also FIG. 5). Said walls divide a building into firecells 51-55. The fire cells 51 and 52 constitute ventilation shaftspreferably extending along the full height of the building. The shaft 51may be used to supply fresh air to the building while shaft 52 is usedto withdraw spent air therefrom. Suitable fans (not illustrated) areprovided. Ventilation ducts 40, 40' extend horizontally in the buildingand have a portion 19 and 19' respectively penetrating through the wall48 and communicating with shafts 51 and 52. One set of ducts 40 and 40'is provided on each floor 61, 41 and as seen in FIG. 3, the duct 40 (aswell as the duct 40' lying therebehind) on floor 41 has a portion 19"penetrating through the wall 50.

In FIG. 4, the encircled portion 19 of duct 40 is illustrated in anenlarged scale. Said portion 19 has the character of a container and isdesigned to form a drain trap-like duct portion. A sound and heatinsulating coating 26 is provided within the container 19. In thisembodiment, a sprinkler nozzle 29 is provided to spray water downwardlytowards the bottom of the container 19. In this way, a scrubber actionon smoke passing through duct 40 will be obtained before the container19 has been filled. When the container 19 has been filled, water willflow away into the ventilation shaft 51 through an overflow opening 56,which determines the fluid level 28 in the container 19. A partition 20forming a drain trap tongue is provided and projects downwardly belowthe intended fluid level 28. The container has at one end an opening 27facing into the shaft 51 and at the other end the container is connectedto the duct 40 by means of a connector. The container 19 is attached tothe wall 48 through a fastening flange 57. The advantage with theembodiment according to FIG. 4 is that the water which is continuouslysprayed into the container 19 during a fire is continuously evacuatedthrough the opening 56 into the shaft 51 where the water does not causeany damage to the building or furniture. There will be a continuousexchange of water in the container 19 and the same will be efficientlycooled. The arrangement illustrated in FIGS. 3-5 will form an efficientbarrier to fire and smoke when the drain trap-like portions of the ductshave been filled with water. It is to be pointed out that the duct orcontainer portion 19" in the wall 50 can be drained from overflowingwater during a fire by the duct 40, i.e. water will flow from portion19" to the portion 19 near the ventilation shaft 51. Alternatively, allor some of the drain trap-like portions can be provided with floatcontrolled valves to maintain a proper fluid level during fire.

In FIGS. 6 and 7 an alternative embodiment is illustrated which as faras the container 3 is concerned corresponds to the embodiment in FIG. 1.As seen in FIG. 7, a water supply conduit 36 is provided with a valve 15controlled by a float 16. In FIGS. 6 and 7 there is also illustrated anarrangement to counteract or prevent spreading of fire or smoke througha passage in the form of a door aperture 31. A door 32 hinged in theusual manner is located in the aperture 31 and said door has an interiorcavity 33. A supply line 35 is provided in a door case 34 and adapted tosupply a fluid of water to the cavity of the door. Said line 35 can beconstituted by a branch of the conduit 36 intended to supply water tothe container 3. The supply line 35 communicates with a filling hole 37in the door and said opening is provided in an upper frame portion 38 ofthe door. When the door is closed (FIG. 6) the orifice 39 of line 35 isaligned with filling opening 37 in the door. It is to be understood thatthe fire door 35 is provided with a door shutter to keep the doornormally closed.

In order to switch on water supply through line 35 the same valve (notillustrated) provided up stream the connection of line 35 to conduit 36can be used. Said valve is controlled by at least one smoke and/ortemperature detector. In that case the supply to the container 3 anddoor cavity will take place in parallel. Separate supply conduits can ofcourse be used to supply the container 3 and door 32 and said conduitscan be controlled by separate detector regulated valves. It willnormally be necessary to fill the container 3 before the door 32 sincethe fumes first occurring must be stopped as soon as possible and sincethe door 32, e.g. made of steel, wood or plastics, can prevent smokepassage if the door is closed. It will normally be necessary to fill thedoor 32 with water when a very high temperature or risk of ignition ofthe door appears. Thus, the filling of container 3 can be initiated by asmoke detector and/or a temperature detector while the filling of thedoor 32 can be initiated by a temperature detector possibly adapted tocontrol a valve in branch line 35. When the building is set on fire, thedoor 32 will be filled and cooled with water and obtain an increasedfire resistance. One or more outlet openings of suitable size can beprovided in the lower part of the door 32 so as to maintain a flow ofwater through the door. It is to be understood that a flexible conduitcan be used between the orifice 39 and the hole 37.

In FIG. 6 there is illustrated with the dashed arrows how the water inthe container 3 is circulating if the fire cell B would be on fire. Thiscirculation will equalize the temperature of the water in the container3.

It should be noted that it is also possible to supply water to thearrangement according to the invention from a suitably locatedreceptacle if no water main is at hand. Other fluids than water can alsobe used.

I claim:
 1. An arrangement to counteract or prevent the spreading of fire or smoke comprising means for defining a partition between two chambers of a static structure, means for defining an aperture in said partition for normally placing said two chambers in fluid communication with each other, means for normally maintaining said aperture open while being operative to close said aperture in response to the detection of fire or smoke, said last-mentioned means including a drain trap-like conduit portion through which air can normally flow to pass through said aperture between said two chambers, means for detecting a predetermined level of smoke or temperature, means for responding to said detecting means for filling and closing said drain trap-like conduit portion with a non-combustible fluid thereby closing communication between said two chambers through said aperture, said drain trap-like conduit portion being located substantially entirely in one of said two chambers, said partition being a vertical wall common to said two chambers and said aperture being contiguous ceilings of said two chambers, said drain trap-like conduit portion being defined by a bight conduit portion and a pair of upwardly opening conduit leg portions all located in one of said chambers, and a conduit connecting one of said upwardly opening conduit leg portions to the other of said chambers through said aperture, and said one upwardly opening conduit leg portion being located adjacent said vertical wall.
 2. An arrangement to counteract or prevent the spreading of fire or smoke comprising means for defining a partition between two chambers of a static structure, means for defining an aperture in said partition for normally placing said two chambers in fluid communication with each other, means for normally maintaining said aperture open while being operative to close said aperture in response to the detection of fire or smoke, said last-mentioned means including a drain trap-like conduit portion through which air can normally flow to pass through said aperture between said two chambers, means for detecting a predetermined level of smoke or temperature, means for responding to said detecting means for filling and closing said drain trap-like conduit portion with a non-combustible fluid thereby closing communication between said two chambers through said aperture, said drain trap-like conduit portion being defined by two generally L-shaped conduit portions each including a generally vertical conduit portion and a generally horizontal conduit portion, and said generally horizontal conduit portions being united through said aperture so as to define in unison a generally U-shaped configuration.
 3. An arrangement to counteract or prevent the spreading of fire or smoke comprising means for defining a partition between two chambers of a static structure, means for defining an aperture in said partition for normally placing said two chambers in fluid communication with each other, means for normally maintaining said aperture open while being operative to close said aperture in response to the detection of fire or smoke, said last-mentioned means including a drain trap-like conduit portion through which air can normally flow to pass through said aperture between said two chambers, means for detecting a predetermined level of smoke or temperature, means for responding to said detecting means for filling and closing said drain trap-like conduit portion with a non-combustible fluid thereby closing communication between said two chambers through said aperture, said drain trap-like conduit portion being located at least in part within said aperture so as to be able to present within said aperture a barrier of non-combustible fluid when said portion has been filled, said drain trap-like conduit portion having a generally L-shaped configuration including a base part, said base part generally completely occupying the entirety of said aperture, and said means for responding to said detecting means for closing communication between said two chambers through said aperture being adapted to essentially completely fill the base part of said drain trap-like conduit portion with fluid.
 4. The arrangement as defined in claim 3 including means for automatically maintaining the level of the non-combustible fluid in said drain trap-like conduit portion above an upper portion of said aperture. 